The festive season is upon us. It’s a chance to enjoy the hard work you’ve put in all year. Now is a great time to relax, socialise and be merry. It’s also a time that can be filled with guilt. Here are my tips for how to stay healthy this festive season, so you recharge your batteries and start 2016 ready to make it your best year ever. 

Last year was the first year I took a break over the festive season in four years. I had two weeks off and it was the best thing I did for myself, my family, and my business. I felt so completely recharged that 2015 has been my most successful year to date. This year I’m taking four weeks off and I’m super looking forward to it. 

Life is divided up into seasons. I heard the lifestyle entrepreneur, Lewis Howes, say that once and I can’t agree more. Just as the weather is divided into seasons, so are our lives. Just like a training program, our lives can be divided into pre-seasons, in-seasons, off-seasons and finals series’, when things get highly busy. The festive season is a natural break in our calendar when you can easily program down-time. It’s also a time when our health can slide. Here are my tips to enjoy your festive season without sacrificing your health. 

How to stay healthy this festive season

• Give yourself permission. It’s been a big year and you deserve a break. Acknowledge that you’ve worked hard at work, on your health, and for your family all year. Life is about balance and seasons. It’s much more enjoyable to accept that you’ve earned the right to relax and be merry, rather than feel guilty for doing so.

• Walk. After just a few days without exercise, you begin to lose your cardiovascular fitness, and about a week to begin losing your strength and flexibility. Allow your body to rest and recover, but go for a walk every couple of days to keep your body functioning smoothly. If you prefer to run, go for a run.

• Control your intake of alcohol and soft drinks. Sugar is the ingredient that will bring everything unravelling faster than anything else. Chances are you’re already going to be consuming more sugar than you’re used at this time of year from all the traditional foods. Enjoy your drinks but don’t overdo the sugar this is laden in these products. Remember to drink lots of water. 

• Be physically social. The festive season is a time to spend with family and friends. Make your social interactions physical ones as well. Organise a day at the beach, park, or someone’s house to play a game of soccer, volleyball, golf or cricket. Surfing and swimming is fun and even has the added benefit of being very good for your fitness. Bocce is another option - it isn’t very physical, but at least your up and moving around. 

The festive season is a time to be merry. Give yourself permission to enjoy it, knowing that it only happens once a year. Control yourself and look for opportunities to move so that you start 2016 full of energy and ready to make it your best year ever.

How do you stay healthy during the festive season? 

Leave your answer to that question in the comments section below.